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“He’s not answering.”
Jinhan had called Choi In-ho twice, but he didn’t pick up.
His anger reaching its peak, Jinhan typed out a message, pouring his emotions into it.
[This is Yoo Jinhan. If you don’t take down that article you just posted immediately, I will sue you.]
It was true that the explanation was insufficient to bridge the gap in Dojun and Haejoo’s relatively short marriage period. Also, even though he had advised Haejoo to divorce, this wasn’t how he had envisioned it.
The biggest problem with the article Choi In-ho had published today was that it lacked accurate evidence and was ambiguous.
If things went this way, there was a high possibility that it would be blown up into false rumors depending on the interpretation.
Just as Jinhan was about to leave the accommodation, his phone rang.
It was a call from Choi In-ho.
“Hello?”
-This is reporter Choi In-ho from Real Fact. We finally get to talk.
Jinhan felt his irritation rising just from hearing Choi In-ho’s voice.
This was because, back when it was Yoonji, he had persistently stalked her and published articles that exaggerated the truth, claiming she lived a dissolute life.
Because of that, Yoonji’s image had plummeted in an instant.
“This must be a bad omen.”
-Do you think I wanted to publish such a vague article?
“Unbelievable.”
-I’ve been digging through all of Lee Haejoo-ssi’s past activities.
“I know.”
-But nothing ever really came out.
“What do you mean?”
-The more I dug, the more questions remained.
Jinhan secretly felt relieved.
Just as he was about to give a proper warning and hang up, Choi In-ho asked as if he had made up his mind.
-People in her old neighborhood said that Lee Haejoo-ssi got married because of her mother’s debts. Is that right?
“I have no knowledge of that.”
Jinhan flatly denied it.
Undeterred, Choi In-ho continued to speak.
-The person who lent the money is the father of the current CEO Park Dojun.
“What is it that you want to say?”
-Whether CEO Park Dojun was the initial marriage target and why they lived separately for three years despite having registered their marriage.
Choi In-ho refuted the points he had made in his article, but Jinhan cut him off sharply.
“Our side has already provided a full explanation. If you stalk Lee Haejoo-ssi or pry into her private life even once more, you will have to face the consequences.”
-If your side has also lied, you will have to face the consequences. I’ve staked everything on this.
“What?”
-Frankly, this whole thing will end if I just find Lee Haejoo-ssi’s family.
“......!”
-That means it’s a race against time. Let’s see if the movie Lee Haejoo-ssi is currently filming will be released safely.
“Hey!”
-Lee Haejoo-ssi lied in front of the public. It’s hard to deceive even a reporter like me.
“Are you threatening me right now?”
Choi In-ho’s hollow laughter could be heard from the other end of the phone.
That lasted only a moment before he retorted in a cold voice.
-I’m the one who was threatened. By CEO Park Dojun.
“CEO Park Dojun?”
-He must think I’ll just take it, but he messed with the wrong person.
“Explain in detail what you mean.”
-Never mind, let’s hang up. This article was written for CEO Park Dojun, Lee Haejoo-ssi, and Director Yoo Jinhan to see, so I’ll take it down.
“Wait! What do you mean by that right now?”
-I’ll reveal every single question I raised in this article, so look forward to it.
With that, the call ended.
Jinhan, his blood pressure rising, stood in front of the air conditioner for a long time.
The long dinner had also mostly ended, and the atmosphere was winding down.
Forcing a smile, he went outside.
“Haejoo-ssi, can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Yes, Director.”
Taking advantage of the chaotic atmosphere, he called Haejoo outside the pension.
After confirming that no one was around, Jinhan asked cautiously.
“Reporter Choi In-ho published an article about Haejoo-ssi.”
“Really?”
Jinhan first gave Haejoo time to read the article.
Watching her become increasingly serious, he finally spoke.
“I talked to Reporter Choi In-ho because of this, and there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Curious?”
“Did something happen between CEO Park Dojun and Reporter Choi In-ho?”
“Ah.”
“So there was something?”
“Yes, but that reporter was the one who was wrong first.”
“Even so, you shouldn’t carelessly provoke a reporter like that. You should have consulted me first.”
Leading the agency, Jinhan knew that the media was the most difficult aspect.
If used well, it could create great synergy, but if handled poorly, it could lead to rock bottom.
Even if the truth was revealed later, a celebrity who had hit rock bottom would find it difficult to regain their former fame.
Just look at Yoonji now...
“That person kidnapped Dojun-ssi’s father.”
“Kidnapped?”
Haejoo explained what had happened to President Park and the situation where she was persistently stalked.
She also mentioned how Dojun had obtained the black box footage using somewhat rough methods.
“Who gets evidence like that? You said there’s CCTV footage too?”
“The CCTV quality isn’t good.”
Jinhan’s face turned red.
He worried about the incident that had occurred right before filming the movie.
“So what does CEO Park Dojun plan to do?”
“He doesn’t say anything, but I think he has something else in mind.”
It would have been easy for Jinhan to ask Dojun directly, but it was quite awkward.
With the call even coming from Yura, Choi In-ho’s actions felt ominous.
“Choi In-ho is grinding his teeth. It looks like he’ll try to contact Haejoo-ssi’s family no matter what.”
A shadow fell over Haejoo’s face as well.
After hesitating, she tried to say something several times before finally opening her mouth.
“If the worst-case scenario happens, we’ll have to counter with the truth, just like you said, Director.”
“There’s no need to be scared in advance. Our side will try our best to stop it.”
“Thank you.”
Haejoo went inside the accommodation.
Feeling bitter, she read the comments on Choi In-ho’s article before closing it.
It felt as if her chest was being stabbed with a red-hot poker.
Those who criticized and mocked based on mere speculation seemed like they would only disappear when the Earth perished.
She couldn’t fall asleep until dawn that day, tossing and turning.
Haejoo, feeling troubled, greeted the morning and looked around the set where filming would take place with Hyun-sung.
“The atmosphere is really good.”
The art team played a big role in this movie.
While looking around next to the art director, who was putting all his effort into the details, Hyun-sung whispered in her ear.
“Noona, the article Choi In-ho wrote has been taken down.”
“Really? How?”
“I guess the director took care of it.”
“That’s good.”
Hyun-sung pointed with his hand in the direction of Jinhan.
Meaning for her to go say hello, she waited behind him while he was on a call.
“Yes, I understand. I’ll see you later in Seoul.”
Turning around without much thought, Jinhan didn’t realize Haejoo was there and patted his chest in surprise.
Despite his disheveled appearance, she bowed her head.
“Director, thank you.”
“Why suddenly?”
“About Reporter Choi In-ho’s article.”
“Ah... it’s nothing.”
Even though it wasn’t something to be entirely happy about, Jinhan didn’t say any more.
For now, he was glad to see Haejoo looking relieved.
“All the other actors are coming down today.”
“I heard.”
“Rehearsals start right away tomorrow, so take good care of your condition.”
“I will.”
That afternoon, all the actors and staff gathered.
Director Kwak had specially procured a Jeju pork head and set up a sacrificial table.
They bowed in turn, praying for the movie’s success. Haejoo also placed the cash she had prepared in the pig’s snout and chuckled.
“Noona!”
“Sorry.”
Just as she erased her smile at Hyun-sung’s prompting, Yoonji burst into a snort of laughter. Yoonji rolled up a ten-thousand-won bill, stuck it between the pig’s teeth, and looked satisfied.
“Please let this movie do well.”
“And please increase my screen time too.”
The two, having finished their bows with their respective earnest wishes, stepped back.
They all gathered and toasted with makgeolli, then formed small groups to chat.
Haejoo tried to get closer to the supporting actors.
In the process, she happened to sip a few mouthfuls of makgeolli and became tipsy.
Jun-woo smiled brightly at her flushed cheeks.
“Haejoo-ssi, you’d be great in a romantic comedy.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“The beach over there is quiet and cool. Shall we take a walk for a bit?”
Jun-woo, who had been awkward at first, became kind and considerate towards Haejoo as they got closer. As they were playing a married couple, Director Kwak had asked them to get to know each other.
“I might get punched by Haejoo-ssi’s husband if I do this.”
“That won’t happen.”
“Then let’s go over there for a moment.”
Just as Jun-woo was about to take Haejoo out, Jinhan blocked their way.
He was smiling, but his voice was firm.
“Sorry to interrupt. I have something to talk to Haejoo-ssi about for a moment...”
“Ah, yes. Please do.”
Jun-woo stepped back but subtly glanced back at Jinhan.
Every time he was with Haejoo, Jinhan would appear and interfere.
As he nodded and turned away, Jinhan moved away from the group with Haejoo.
“What’s the matter, Director?”
“I’m going back up this Sunday.”
“Is that so?”
“Since we’re down here anyway, I was thinking of having a meal with our staff at a nice place the day before.”
“Sounds good.”
“Don’t tell the others yet, since they don’t know.”
“Okay.”
After their short conversation, Haejoo excused herself and went outside.
Hyun-sung drove her back to the accommodation, and she immediately went to bed.
Dojun was busy and hadn’t contacted her all day.
Well... he was always a busy person.
Haejoo, fidgeting with her phone, opened her chat window with Dojun.
Just before she fell asleep from drowsiness, she left a message.
[I drank alcohol.]
No sooner had she sent the message than her phone rang, making Haejoo’s heart drop.
Seeing Dojun’s name on the screen, she pressed the call button.
“Yes, Dojun-ssi.”
-You drank alcohol?
“Not enough to get a hangover, just a few sips of makgeolli.”
-Why suddenly?
“We had a sacrificial rite today.”
-Hoo.
Dojun’s sighing reaction felt ominous.
Even though she knew the reason, Haejoo felt a pang of disappointment.
Since returning from Hong Kong, he had only worked. Some days it was difficult to even have a call, and even then, their times didn’t match.
-You absolutely must not drink alcohol.
“Don’t order me around.”
-Lee Haejoo!
“I told you, I’m not drunk.”
-Where are you now?
“The accommodation.”
Haejoo replied curtly.
The sound of his breathing over the phone tickled her ear.
-Don’t make me worry.
“I have a job as an actress too. Dojun-ssi isn’t the only one who’s busy.”
-What if you collapse again?
“Someone who worries about me like that hasn’t even called me once all day?”
-That’s...
“See? You have nothing to say, do you? You’re always going to leave me alone.”
-That’s not it.
Haejoo wondered if this was her drinking habit.
She knew she was being stubborn and unreasonable, but she couldn’t control it.
The emotions that had welled up once were busy seesawing.
Then, the call suddenly disconnected.
Just as her heart sank, a video call came in.
It was a call from Dojun, so she pressed the green call button.
“Dojun-ssi?”
-My busy schedule will be over this week.
“You always say the same thing...”
-Haejoo-ya.
Dojun’s calm, subdued voice was deeper than the ocean at the beach.
His face on the screen was still the same, and it made her heart flutter even in this night.
“Say something.”
Haejoo, feeling embarrassed, avoided his gaze for no reason.
Dojun’s lips subtly curved as he looked at her.
-You said you didn’t know how to date?
“Excuse me?”
-Your actions right now... that’s dating.
“What are you talking about!”
Haejoo’s face, now serious, flushed with heat, even her earlobes turning red.
-You’re doing well. I’m looking forward to the future.
“That’s out of the blue.”
-Rest well.
Dojun’s blunt way of speaking had a subtle charm that drove people crazy.
Even after the call ended, it made her unable to put down her phone...
“He’s a strange man.”
Lost in a strange feeling, Haejoo fell asleep.
When Hyun-sung woke her up, dark clouds hung over the Jeju sky.
Full-fledged rehearsals began.
Having come fully prepared, Haejoo and the other actors did their best.
________________________________________
Time flew by quickly, and it was already Saturday.
Haejoo and Yoonji finished their rehearsal first and returned to the accommodation late in the afternoon.
Just then, Jinhan called, and she answered immediately.
“Yes, Director!”
-You haven’t forgotten about dinner, have you?
“Of course not.”
-The others seem like they’ll be a bit late, so Haejoo-ssi, come alone first.
“Where is it?”
The place Jinhan told her about was a restaurant that a famous chef had recently opened in Jeju Island. Located in the H Hotel, it was famous for its seafood dishes.
Haejoo called a taxi and left early.
As she admired the scenery of Jeju outside the car window, the taxi stopped.
“I’ll pay with my card... Oh, I left my phone. I’ll just pay in cash.”
She had left her phone behind in her haste to leave.
Fortunately, she had her wallet in her bag, so she got out of the taxi.
This was the most luxurious hotel in Jeju, and even the white-toned building was extraordinary.
Checking the signpost, Haejoo headed straight for the restaurant. As she got off the elevator, it connected directly to the restaurant entrance, and a staff member bowed.
“Welcome.”
“I have a reservation...”
“Yes, we have a room reserved under the name of Lee Haejoo-nim. Please come this way.”
“Under my name?”
Haejoo tilted her head and followed the staff member.
One wall was made of glass, revealing the Jeju beach.
The place where they stopped, without passing through the hall, was a room closed off by an elegant wooden door.
When the staff member opened the door, the person standing there with a serious expression wasn’t Jinhan, but Dojun.
Barely managing to calm his heart, he was on a call with Secretary Song.
“Haejoo is here now.”
Dojun, having pressed the end call button, walked towards Haejoo, who was still in a daze.
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